STEAUA BUCHAREST are in danger of being no more after a staggering court ruling.
The 1986 European Cup winners have been illegally using the name which rightfully belongs to an army side, the court ruled.
The ministry resorted to law in 2011 saying the club – who were formed under communist rule in 1947 – had used the Steaua brand illegally since 2004.
Steaua owner Gici Becali separated the club from the state sports club, CSA Steaua Bucharest, in 1998.
The ministry called the court ruling “well-deserved” and said in a statement it would sue Becali’s Steaua for 40million euros (£34million) for using the brand illegally for more than a decade.
Becali revealed he is set to appeal the decision and said the club would become bankrupt if they were made to pay and face demotion to the amateur fourth division – where the “legitimate” Steaua will play next season.
However, Becali said he was considering changing the name to FC Sports Becali.
more from football
He said: “The fans will follow me.
“They will say there was a huge injustice and will follow me.”
Steaua were thumped 4-1 by their local rivals Dinamo in the first leg of the Romanian League Cup’s semi-final on Thursday.
Steaua are the country’s most successful club with 26 league titles to their name and their European Cup triumph.
Leave a comment